Chaos in Hojai district as rumour scuttles MR vaccine drive

Our CorrespondentGUWAHATI, Oct 01: A lady health worker was seriously injured when a large mob went on the rampage at a school following a rumour that a student had died after being administered Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine.The incident took place at Pharmapar High School near Lanka in Central Assam’s Hojai district on Sunday.According to reports, a health team comprising ANM, ASHA worker and Aanganwadi worker had gone to the school to administer MR vaccine.During the vaccination drive, some students had starting complaining of nausea and dizziness and were immediately admitted at nearest hospital.

A large number of people had gheraod the school and vandalized school property besides attacking the health team following rumours that a student had died thereafter.An ASHA worker was seriously injured in the mob attack.The mob had also attacked police personnel and had resorted to stone pelting.The mob also damaged at least five vehicles and property of the government run school.Hojai district Superintendent of Police (SP) Ankur Jain said that several hundred people had attacked the school.“The injured ASHA worker was immediately rushed to hospital,” Ankur Jain said. Hojai police have arrested five persons in connection with the attack and registered a case at Lanka police station.Police has started investigation to identify and nab the people involved in the incident.